Ministers on the Tory side of the Coalition are excited about the possibilities. The shale gas boom in the United States, which has boosted the American economy by lowering energy costs, has helped convince senior Conservatives that something similar may be feasible here. Shale oil and gas — which is accessed by blasting water and sand at deposits locked thousands of feet below ground and known as “fracking” — might offer a new source of cheap energy. The Environment Secretary, Owen Paterson, and Michael Fallon, the energy minister, are supportive of fracking, while the Treasury and the Chancellor, George Osborne, have also been convinced, lured in part by the prospect of resulting tax revenues. While the decisions on individual fracking sites remain with individual councils, Mr Osborne has announced tax breaks to encourage development by companies.

Are anti-fracking protests a problem for ministers?
The ongoing protests in Balcombe, Sussex, against exploratory drilling, seem to have been hijacked by the usual suspects: reports suggest that local protesters are outnumbered by visiting hardline environmentalists. The protesters are endeavouring to take their campaign nationwide and to make this the next battleground in the war between environmentalists and the authorities. However, fracking companies deny the claims that the process pollutes water and causes other environmental damage. Where the Prime Minister will have serious cause for concern is that Tory MPs in safe seats in the shires are reporting public unease about the possible impact of drilling. This comes on top of worries about plans for more house building in rural areas. No 10 will want to avoid any further suggestion that it is ignoring the concerns of core Tory voters in the shires.